Passwords protection is fundamental for keeping data safe from hackers and scammers and all IT companies would tell you the same thing. Unfortunately, however, we tend to use simple passwords or weak protection measures to avoid spending just a little more time on proper security protocols. Every time you log on with a weak password or aren’t keeping an eye out for scammers, you’re putting yourself and your company at a risk that could cause irreparable damage and costs.
Top 5 Password Security Risks
Here are some common security risks many IT companies see that could land you in trouble due to insufficient password protection:
- Phishing Scams and Malware: The unsuspecting victim will log onto a scammer’s malware website, likely masking as a computer support page, which contains a keylogger. From there, it’s as simple as entering your password the way you normally would and that’s it! They have your login information and are free to do what they please.
- Cracking: Cracking passwords involves trying billions of combinations of letters and numbers. It’s usually unsuccessful and so attackers will try to obtain your system’s password file or hashed passwords. Once they have copies of these, cracking your password becomes simple.
- Weak Passwords: Users often use weak and easy-to-remember passwords to avoid forgetting and getting locked out of their system. Unfortunately, this makes it easy for hackers and scammers to crack them.
- Clear Text Passwords: These are passwords that are not encrypted when entered and remain visible. They’re then saved on configuration files in clear text, leaving them vulnerable.
- Reusing Passwords: If a user on your system is compromised and uses the same password across multiple platforms, a scammer can wreak havoc with access to multiple databases.
Preventative Measures to Keep Your Data Secure
Here are some easy ways to ensure your passwords don’t get cracked through phishing scams and hackers
Strong Internal Security Measures
You and your team or staff must know about the importance of cybersecurity. Make sure they’re well versed on protocols and what to look for, especially since many threats to businesses come from within the organization.
Encrypted Password Storage
Make sure that any passwords saved are done in a way that hackers cannot make use of them. Hashing, which does not allow the decryption of encrypted passwords, is an effective method. Salting is another important measure you can take along with hashing. It adds a large, random collection of characters before the hashed password, making it virtually impossible to crack.
Multi-Factor Verification
This requires users to enter more than one verification method or password to authorize their login attempt. Passwords should also be changed regularly along with any other PINs associated with the Multi-Factor Verification.
If you’re unsure about the level of security on your current system and need computer support, we’re here to help! Don’t leave your data vulnerable to cyberattacks, contact CEG today and we’ll find the solutions to your challenges to help keep your system secure.